We’re starting a people-powered joy revolution

We’re excited to launch the Jury for Joy – a long-term citizens’ assembly for West Cumbria about culture and creativity.

We’re asking people from across West Cumbria to sign up and help make decisions on how money should be invested to support culture and creativity where they live.

9000 randomly selected households will be receiving an invitation to take part in the Jury for Joy. From this process 30 representative individuals will be selected, appointed and asked to make decisions on a variety of projects and budgets across West Cumbria.

In recent years, citizens’ juries and citizens’ assemblies have grown in popularity as an alternative, more democratic way to make decisions. They are regarded as an effective way to address the concerns of many about a growing sense of detachment from a political process that may often seem remote and not for them. This is the first time that a citizens’ jury has been used to shape an ongoing creative and cultural programme in the UK.

“At Everyone Here we believe creativity is for everyone and can be explored in many ways. West Cumbria enjoys an enviably rich cultural history – we have one of the oldest festivals not just in Cumbria but the world with Egremont Crab Fair and traditions like the Uppies and Downies that go back generations. But what does the future of culture and creativity look like here and who gets to decide on that future?” said Everyone Here Co Director Sam Hunt.

“We think that everyone is creative, and everyone has a right to a cultural life however they define that we want the joy that culture and creativity can bring to be at the heart of our communities.

We want to work to help bring in sustained, long term investment for culture here and we think that the best people to make decisions on how that investment is made are the people who live here.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England added

“At the heart of our Let’s Create strategy is that everyone should have access to creativity and culture wherever they live. So, I was delighted to hear about the Jury for Joy plans on my recent visit to the county. It is important that the local community has a voice in determining what this looks like for them and I look forward to hearing about the ideas that come out of it for the people of West Cumbria.”

There is potential for the Jury for Joy to positively impact every facet of life here in West Cumbria, harnessing the collective imagination of the people who call this incredible place home, placing culture and creativity at the top of the agenda and at the heart of civic life.

Have you received an invite through the post and want to get involved?

If you live in West Cumbria, are over 18, and your household has received one of the 9000 invites to take part in the Jury for Joy you can now sign up online or by using the Freephone number provided. It only takes a few minutes to register either online or over the phone.

Jury members don’t need any prior knowledge to take part in the Jury for Joy, participants are just asked to bring themselves, their experience and a willingness to listen and take part.

The deadline to register is Sunday 31 March. Those who are selected and go on to take part will receive a gift of £200 in shopping vouchers as a thank you.

Want to know more about Jury for Joy? Step this way.